More than €13,000 raised by two Athlone Rotary fundraisers
The Rotary Club of Athlone recently presented the proceeds of two highly successful annual fundraisers which it organsised late last year.
The organisation's annual concert in November and its Tree of Remembrance initiative at Christmas generated some €13,500 in total, which has now been distributed to the Athlone branch of the Special Olympics Club, the Army Benevolent Fund, and the Athlone branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association.
The Rotary Club's annual concert, held in November, attracted a full house. Again, Athlone Rotary was delighted to host the Combined Bands of the Defence Forces, with mezzo soprano soloist accompaniment. It was a great success, bringing the community together in the comfort of the Radisson Hotel.
This year's primary charity for the concert was the Special Olympics Club (Athlone's branch), and Athlone Rotary was delighted to announce that €5,000 was raised in support of the club's invaluable work in the area, along with €1,000 in support of the Army Benevolent Fund.
Gratitude was expressed to the volunteers from both the Special Olympics Club and Athlone Rotary, as well as to all of the concert's supporters and sponsors, the Radisson hotel, and the performers on the night.
"Thank you to everyone who attended and those who made donations. Your generosity and support made Rotary Club of Athlone Fundraising concert 2025 something truly meaningful for our Special Olympians," said Athlone Rotary.
The annual Tree of Remembrance fundraiser at Christmas was also "a tremendous success" in 2025, with the community coming together in Irishtown at a new site for the tree in front of Dunnes Stores and next to Flannery's pub.
This year’s primary charity for the Tree of Remembrance was the Irish Wheelchair Association (Athlone's branch), with €7,500 raised in support of its invaluable work in the local area.
"A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who made this possible, especially the volunteers from both the Irish Wheelchair Association and Rotary Club Athlone branch, whose time, effort, and good spirit helped ensure the event ran so smoothly," said Athlone Rotary.
"We would also like to offer special thanks to our supporters and sponsors: Fernhill Garden Centre for sponsoring the Christmas tree; Liam O’Connor Engineering for the construction of the tree; Cllr Frankie Keena for his support; and Dunnes Stores and Ann Flannery for their help in making it happen.
"Thank you to everyone who contributed - your generosity and support made Christmas 2025's Tree of Remembrance something truly meaningful for Athlone," it added.